WHEN I was young growing up, the Lord brought into my life the influence of an individual who exuded Isaiah 30:15b,
In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.
THE timing of his entrance into my life was such that it had a profound impact in determining the life path I would eventually follow. The fact that he exemplified a “quiet confidence” rarely if ever seen in others was mystifying to me, reinforced years later when letters were found after his passing revealing a previously unknown past that was anything but a quiet and passive life experience. This gave even more credence to the answer he gave to me when I asked at one point early on how it was he came to possess such “peace of mind” and quiet confidence. His answer was simple is saying that it was the Lord Jesus Christ that made the difference, and the fact that I noticed he spent a considerable time in the Word and humble service to others. I have to admit that at the time I didn’t quite “get it.”
MANY individuals struggle over the difficulties of the Christian Life, either trying to “Let go and Let God” or busy themselves with “works righteous” activities. We like reading Eph. 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works” – but rarely do we read on to verse 10: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, … that we should walk in them.” …So what does it really mean to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” Phil 2:12-13)?
I COULD bring in the Larger Catechism instruction here that does a really great job in answering this question (WLC Q75-80), but today’s reading from None But The Hungary Heart has a phrase that I think captures the thought right well, “co-operation founded on subordination.” I think this helps deal with the idea of partnership, saying, “As the Lord Jesus was entirely dependent on the Father for all His words and all His works, so the believer can do nothing of himself.”
WELL, I have more to say on this. But for now let’s get to today’s reading – Restful Activity (NBTHH 1.17).
In the inexorable riches of Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10; Isa 30:15; Job 2:10; Jas. 1:2; Prov. 21:30
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1-17. Restful Activity
“In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength” (Isa. 30:15).
There is a great difference between sloth, and rest; between deadness, and quietness. There is also a vast difference between constant nervous busyness, and Spirit-controlled activity; between working for God, and having Him do His work through us. It is the infinite difference between self, and Christ,
“In God and man working together, there is nothing of the idea of a partnership between two partners who each contribute their share to a work. Rather, the true plan is that of co- operation founded on subordination. As the Lord Jesus was entirely dependent on the Father for all His words and all His works, so the believer can do nothing of himself. What he can do of himself is altogether sinful. He must therefore cease entirely from his own doing, and wait for the working of God in him. As he ceases from self-effort, faith assures him that God does what He has undertaken, and works in him.
“And what God does is to renew, to sanctify, and waken all his energies to their most useful power. So that just in proportion as he yields himself a truly passive instrument in the hand of the Father, will he be wielded of Him as the active instrument of His will and power. The soul in which the wondrous combination of quiet passivity with the highest activity is most completely realized, has the deepest experience of what the Christian life is.” -A.M.
“So He fed them according to the integrity of His heart; and guided them by the skillfulness of His hands” (Ps. 78:72).
